Spray washer



F. H. ELLINGER ETAL SPRAY WASHER Filed Feb. 5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 10, 1942.

F. H. ELLINGER ET AL SPRAY WASHER Filed Feb. 5, 1941 2 Sheets-,Sheet 2 'l lNvgN-rons AT TO RN EY.

Patented Nev. 1o, 1942 SPRAY WASHER Fiom H. Euinger, chicago, 1li., mia Gustave's. Krantz, West Allis, Wis.; said Krantz assignor to said Ellinger Application February 5, 1941, Serial No. 377,434

(Cl. l2994--,84.)

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in the art of spraying liquid, and relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of devices for producing shower sprays of soapy liquid or the like, for dish washing and analogous purposes.

An object of our invention isto provide an improved liquid spray washer, which is simple in construction and highly efficient in operation.

Many different types of portable spray heads have heretofore been proposed for the purpose of showering a fluent mixture of water and soap, either directly or through a brush, upon various objects such as dishes; and in at least one of the earlier assemblages of this type, it was proposed to admit the supply liquid pressure to the receptacle in which the auxiliary cleansing medium was confined, in order to produce the mixture and to deliver the latter to the spray nozzle or orifices. While some of these prior devices have been quite satisfactory, they were not adapted to effectively mix the soap with the fresh water so as to produce a uniform and mild mixture and to avoid waste of the cleansing medium, and they could not beused eiiiciently with either liquid soap, soap flakes or chips, or bar soap. These prior spray washers moreover could not be quickly and conveniently converted from, soap mixture spraying to fresh water spraying, and vice versa, for washing and rinsing purposes, and therefore lacked considerable utility and flexibility in use. The previous spraying devices furthermore were not adapted to cause the mixture to foam and froth when it was delivered to the dishes or other objects being cleansed, and the prior spray washing appliances were defectivel and faulty in many respects, Y

It is therefore a more specific object of our present invention, to provide a new and useful portable washing and rinsing device for dishes or the like, which obvates all of the above-mentioned defects of the prior devices of this general type, and which is highly flexible and effective in use.

Another specic object of the present inventien is to provide an improved portable spray washer adapted to be connected to any suitable source ot liquid under pressure such as an ordinary faucet, and capable of producing a highly satisfactory mixture of soapy water when utilizing either liquid soap, chip vor flake soap, plastic soap compounds, or b ar soap. V

A further specific object of the invention is to provide an improved soap dispensing spray head, of the type wherein the supply liquid pressure is utilized to force the cleansing medium from .its confining chamber, and in which the mixture will be effectively produced and gradually dispensed and delivered in a most eicient manner,

Still another specic object of this invention is toprovide an improved portable dish spraying assemblage which is adapted to be quickly and' effectively converted from a washing device" capable of delivering a mixture of soap and water, into a rinsing device for discharging fresh water alone, `and vice versa.

purposes, which may be utilized with utmost safety with various mediums including extremely hot water, and for diverse purposes; and which may be manufactured, sold and operated at moderate cost.

Another additional specic object of the invention is to provide a portable spray assemblage which can be readily manipulated, all parts lof which are conveniently accessible for re-loading, adjustment, inspection and cleaning, which is durable and attractive in construction; and which will'most effectively `deliver the lcleansing fluid against the dishes or other objects and convert.

. various views.

Fig. l is an approximately central vertical section through an improved spray washer, showing the assemblage set for rinsing spray production, and also showing the ilexible tubing for Fig. 6 is anothehr section similar to that of Fig. 1, taken through a modified spray washer;

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the modiiied'st'ructure; and

Fig. 8 is a top view of the modied assemblage.

While the invention has been shown herein as` being applied to portable spray washers especially adapted for dish cleansing purposes and utilizing soap as a cleansing medium, and supplied with liquid by a rubber hose attachable to a faucet, it is not our desire or intent to thereby unnecessarily restrict the scope or utility of the improvement.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, the improved portable spray washer shown therein, comprises in general, a main casing 1 forming a cleanser or soap confining chamber 8, and having an open bottom; a spray head 9 associated with the casing 1 to provide a removable closure forthe bottom; a manually operable control valve I Il adapted to ydeliver fresh water from a supply conduit II, directly either to the chamber 8 through a port I2, or to the head 9 through a port I3; means such as a flap valve I4 for permitting escape of mixed fluid from'the chamber 8 to the spray head 9 only when uid pressure has been established Within the soap confining chamber 8; an insulated handle I5 surrounding the conduit Il for effecting manipulation of the casing 1 and spray head 9 'as a unit; and a flexible conduit or hose I6 having one end secured to and communicating with the conduit I I, while its opposite end is provided with a fitting I 1 formed for removable attachment to a' faucet, or other source of supply of liquid such as hot water under pressure.

The casing 1 may be formed either of sheet metal with the aid of punches and dies, or as a die casting, or in any other manner, of light but durable metal, in order to reduce the weight thereof to a minimum; and while the entire bot'- tom of the casing 1 may be opened for the insertion of a large bar of soap into the mixing chamber 8, the casing top may be provided with a removable cap I8 for effecting admission of liquid soap, or soap chips, without necessitating removal of the spray head 9. 'Ihe spray head 9 may likewise be formed either of sheet metal, or as a die casting, or otherwise, of light 'materiaL and this head has an upper wall I9 which normally closes the bottom of the chamber 8, and a lower spray plate or diaphragm 20 spaced from the wall I9 to provide a spray chamber 2|. The closure wall I9 has one or more openings therein which are normally closed by the flap valve or valves I4, and the valves I4 are riveted or otherwise secured to the wall I9 and may be formed of any suitable resilient material so that they will be opened more or less when pressure is established within the chamber 8. The peripheral portion of the spray head 9 may be provided with quick pitch screw threads 22 coacting with similar internal threads on the casingj1, for eiecting rapid attachment and detachment of these parts; and is also provided with a gripping flange 23, and with an annular liquid distributing groove 24 which communicates with the spray chamber 2| through a series of openings 25. The lower interior portion of the main casing 1 may-also be provided with a flange 25, and sealing gaskets 21, 28, 29 may be inserted respectively, between the flange 23 and casing 1, between the flange 26 and spray head wall I9, and between the closure cap I8 and casing 1, in order to provide liquid tight seals.

The spray plate or diaphragm 2|) of the spray head 9, is preferably dished slightly as shown in Fig. 1, and is provided with a multiplicity of small circular orifices 39, radial slots 3|, and circumferential slots 32. The circular orifices 30 are adapted to deliver small circular jets from the spray chamber 2| normal to the diaphragm 29, and the slots 3|, 32 are formed to deliver rather widev and flat fan shaped jets from the chamber 2| and diaphragm 20. vThese various types of jets will cross and interfere with each other at the zone of washing, in a rather violent and turbulent manner, so as to cause the soap to froth and foam and thus form an abundance of soap suds, whenever a mixture of soap and water is being admitted to the chamber 2| and discharged therefrom. 'I'he circular orifices 38 may be 'punched in the diaphragm 20 in the ordinary Amain manipulating handle I 5. 35;

manner, but the slots 3|, 32 are preferably formed as shown in Fig. 1, by first slitting the diaphragm and by subsequently bending the metal on one side of each slit outwardly. This outward bending of the metal should not be too regular, as it is desirable to produce fan jets which will break up the adjacent jets and thus create the soap suds.

The fresh liquid supp-ly conduit II is in the form of a rigid hollow tube firmly associated with a control valve housing 33 and extending upwardly and laterally away from the main casing 1. The insulating handle I5 cooperates with this tubular conduit II to provide a manipulating handle for the portable spraying device; and the fresh liquid supply hose I6 should be rmly attached to the projecting end of the conduit II with the aid of a cord or wire 34, and should be sufficiently flexible to permit unobstructed manipulation of the spray washer. The control valve housing 33 with which the tubular conduit is rigidly associated, is also rigidly associated with the main casing 1, and the tapered control valve I0 is manually rotatable within the housing 33 with the aid of a handle 35 disposed near the The plug valve I D is retained in place by a nut 35, and is provided with a limit stop pin 31 for preventing over-travel of the valve, and also has a central port 38 communicating with the conduit I I and adaptedvto either be cut-olf as in Fig. 3; or connected to the Aport I3 for fresh water rinsing purposes as in Figni; or connected to the port I2 for washing purposes as in Fig. 5. The port I2 is constantly in communication with the soap confining chamber 3 which may be periodically supplied with either liquid, flake, or bar soap; and the port I3 is likewise in constant communication with the annular groove 24 as illustrated in Fig. 1.

While the normal use of the improved spray washer should be clearly apparent from the foregoing description of the construction thereof, a short resume of the operation will be given. When the confining chamber 8 of the casing 1 has been supplied with the desired kind of .soap or other cleanser, and the fitting I1 has been connected to a suitable source of hot liquid or water supply under pressure, the spraying device may be moved about universally with the aid of the handle I5, and the valve I0 may be manipulated at will. If the valve I9 is set as in Fig. 3, no spray will be discharged from the orices 3E and slots 3|, 32, since the conduit II will then be shut-ofi'. yWhen the control valve I0 is shifted to the position shown in Fig. 4,the port I2 will be closed and fresh water under pressure will flow lfrom the conduit through the ports 38, I3,

groove 24 and openings 25 into the spray chamber 2|. This fresh liquid under pressure will maintain the valve I4 closed, and will iiow through the spray orifices 30 and slots 3 I, 32, and may be used for rinsing purposes. When the control valve Ill is set in the position shown in Fig. 5, the port I3 will be sealed and fresh water will ow from the conduit I I through the ports 38, 2 into the mixing chamber 8, and will fill this chamber with liquid under pressure which will thoroughly mix with the soap. The liquid pressure will eventually force the iluid mixture through the opening in the wall I9 and past the flap valve |4 into the chamber 2|, and from thence the soapy mixture will flow through the orifices 30 and slots 3|, 32 in the form of jets which upon impinging with each other will produce foam or soap suds. The appliance may thus be used for washing purposes, but it may be quickly converted into a rinsing device, or the Water supply may be cut oi entirely.

Referring to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the modified portable spray Washer shown therein, comprises a main cup shaped casing 40 forming a soap or other cleanser confining chamber 4|, and having an open top; a false bottom 42 coniined in the lower portion of the casing 4|) to form a spray chamber 43; a removable cover 44 having gunlock lugs 45 cooperable with a mutilated flange 46 on the casing 40 to seal the chamber 4 a manually operable control valve 41 adapted to deliver fresh water from a supply conduit 48, directly either to the chamber 4| through a port 49, or to the spray chamber 43 through a port 50; a iiap valve 5|, or other means for permitting escape of mixed iiuid from the upper chamber 4| to the lower chamber 43 only when liquid pressure is established in the chamber 4|; an insulated handle 52 secured to the conduit 48; and a flexible liquid supply hose I6, not shown, but being attachable to the serrated outer end 53 of the conduit 48.

The casing 40 may also be formed of sheet metal, and the bottom of this casing is slightly dished and preferably has a multiplicity of orices 54, radial slots 55, and circumferential slots 56. While the top of the casing 40 may be opened wide for the insertion of bar, flake or liquid soap, or other cleansing medium within the chamber 4|, this open top may be sealed by the Cap or cover 44, the lugs 45 of which are adapted to be passed through notches 51 in the flange 46 during application or removal of the cover. A sealing gasket 58 may also be provided in order to insure tight closure; and the rotary plug valve 41 is manipulable with the aid of a handle 59, so as to either admit fresh liquid under pressure to the chamber 4|, or to the chamber 43, or to both of these chambers, in regulated quantities. The normal operation of the modified assemblage is quite similar to that of the spraying device of Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, and will be obvious from the previous description.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be apparent that our present invention provides an improved portable spray washer, which is simple, compact and durable in construction, and which is moreover flexible and highly efiicient in use. The improved device may be readily converted from Washing with a soapy mixture to rinsing with fresh Water, and vice versa, and is well adapted for use with various types of cleansing medium such as liquid soap, soap flakes or chips, plastic soap, or bar soap. The portable washing unit may be readily manipulated to produce the desired operation, and the insulating handles eliminate danger when operating With extremely hot liquid. The formation of the orifices and slots in the spray head, is extremely important, since the combined action of these orifices and slots produces a splashing and agitation which is very effective, and reduces the soap consumption to a minimum. All parts of the spraying assemblage are readily accessible for adjustment, inspection, and cleaning; and both fluent soap and large bar soap may be readily introduced to the mixing chamber. The improved appliance is obviously neat appearing, sterilizes as Well as Washing, is easy to handle, and can be manufactured and sold at moderate cost; and the device has proven highly satisfactory in actual use.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction, or to the precise mode of use, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

We claim:

l. A spray device, comprising, a portable casing forming a soap confining chamber, a spray head having screw thread coaction with said casing and forming a detachable closure for said chamber and having a spray diaphragm provided with spray slots disposed at diverse angles relative to each other, means for 4admitting liquid under pressure to said chamber, and pressure operable valve means interposed between said chamber and said head for delivering liquid under pressure to said slots, said valve means being responsive to the pressure within said chamber.

2. A spray device, comprising, a portable casing forming a soap confining chamber open at the bottom and having a tubular insulated manipulating handle, a hollow spray head having screw thread coaction With said casing and forming a removable closure for said casing bottom and having a spray producing diaphragm provided with radial and circumferential slots, means for admitting liquid under pressure either to said chamber or to said spray head, and a pressure operated valve interposed between said chamber and said head for delivering soapy liquid under pressure to said slots, said valve being responsive to the pressure within said chamber.

3. A spray device, comprising, a casing forming a cleanser conning chamber, a spray head formed adjacent the bottom of said chamber, a Ipartition Wall between said chamber and said spray head, means for conveying liquid under pressure to said device, a valve operable to admit said liquid under pressure directly either to said chamber or to said spray head, and means suspended from said partition wall for admitting fluid from said chamber to said spray head only when pressure is established within said chamber.

4. A spray device, comprising, a casing forming a cleanser confining chamber, a spray head formed adjacent the bottom of said chamber, a .partition wall between said chamber and said spray head provided With a passage, means for connecting said device to a source of liquid supply, a valve operable to direct liquid from said source of supply either to said chamber or to said spray head, and a resilient iiap valve secured to said partition wall and normally covering said passage for conducting fluid from said chamber only when pressure is established Within said chamber.

FLORA H. ELLINGER. GUSTAVE S. KRANTZ, 

